Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – July 17, 2025 – A poignant social media post by an Indian IT professional has gone viral, igniting a wave of sympathy and anger across the internet after his request for work-from-home (WFH) was allegedly denied following the recent demise of his father. The incident has cast a stark light on the often rigid corporate policies and perceived lack of empathy within the Indian tech industry, especially during personal crises.
The techie, who shared his heartbreaking experience on Reddit, revealed that he lost his father just a week ago. He had initially taken five days of leave while his father was hospitalized and then worked from home for a week to complete essential post-demise rituals.4 However, his request for an additional month of remote work to support his mother, now alone in their hometown, was met with a cold refusal.
According to his post, the client manager simply stated, "Finish the rituals and please plan to proceed ahead," effectively telling him to return to the office without further discussion. Even attempts to schedule a call to explain his difficult situation went unanswered, and his own manager reportedly offered no support.
Caught between the immense personal responsibility of caring for his grieving mother and the inflexible demands of his workplace, the techie turned to the online community for advice.The Reddit post quickly resonated with thousands, triggering a deluge of reactions from users who expressed outrage at the company's apparent lack of compassion. Many shared their own experiences of navigating personal loss within corporate environments, highlighting the inconsistent application of bereavement and remote work policies in India.
While India lacks specific bereavement laws, the viral post has sparked a crucial conversation about the need for greater understanding and flexibility from employers, particularly in a culture where elaborate rituals and family support are integral during times of mourning.The overwhelming online response underscores a collective sentiment that human empathy should take precedence over rigid corporate directives, especially when employees are facing profound personal hardship.